Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen ‘assaulted’ by pitch-invading fans
Manchester City have apologised after Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen was “assaulted” by fans as they invaded the pitch.
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Manchester City have apologised after Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen was “assaulted” by fans as they invaded the pitch.
City supporters poured onto the Etihad turf after being crowned Premier League champions following a dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
Both sets of players were quickly surrounded as stewards attempted to lead them to safety. However, Villa manager Steven Gerrard later revealed goalkeeper Olsen had been “attacked” in the wild scenes, The Sun reports.
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Asked after the match whether his players made it to the dressing room safely, Gerrard said: “The answer is no. My goalkeeper was attacked.
“I think those questions should go to Pep and Manchester City.”
City quickly issued an apology, promising to identify the fan and issue them with a stadium ban, while Greater Manchester Police are also investigating.
A City statement said: “Manchester City would like to sincerely apologise to Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who was assaulted after the final whistle at today’s match when fans entered the pitch.
“The Club has launched an immediate investigation and once identified, the individual responsible will be issued with an indefinite stadium ban.”
Shocking footage has emerged of Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen being assaulted numerous times whilst leaving the Etihad pitch. pic.twitter.com/yG0XIOAacs
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2022
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane slammed the “scumbags”, warning someone could soon be seriously hurt.
“It’s disgraceful, a player or a manager is going to be seriously injured,” he said.
“If you’re mad enough to come on and punch a player, then you’re mad enough to do something similar like stab a player. There’ll be something crazy happen.
“I think when Covid happened, people came back and forgot how to behave themselves. Idiots. Scumbags. Disgrace.”
Olsen came off holding the back of his head after thousands of jubilant City fans took to the field at the final whistle.
That, despite an appeal on the tannoy and big screen in the ground before the end of the game to stay off the pitch.
The incident is the latest in a series of fan attacks on players this week.
On Tuesday, Everton fans got carried away after they secured their Prem status and goaded Crystal Palace players and manager Patrick Vieira, who reacted by kicking one supporter to the ground.
There have been several pitch invasions following playoff triumphs in the EFL and too often scenes have turned ugly, with Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp the victim of a headbutt on Tuesday.
Swindon Town players were also assaulted by Port Vale fans at the end of their League Two playoff semi-final defeat, while Northampton supporters threw flares at Mansfield stars.
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones also condemned the “disgusting” behaviour of a minority of Huddersfield fans after they decided to goad his players rather than celebrate their place in the Championship playoff final.
Celebrating City fans also broke one of the goals after climbing on top of the bar.
Talisman Kevin De Bruyne was immediately surrounded by stewards who battled through the crowd to marshal the Premier League Player of the Year to safety.
Fans eventually returned to their seats for the trophy ceremony and began to serenade the Belgian for his hand in City’s sixth Premier League win.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen ‘assaulted’ by pitch-invading fans
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